Americans with Disabilities Act Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act

ADA/Section 504 Design Guide:

Accessible Cells in Correctional Facilities

Many inmates in State and local correctional
facilities have mobility disabilities and need to be housed in
accessible cells. Yet, many correctional facilities do not have
enough cells that are accessible to inmates with disabilities.
Federal laws protect people with disabilities from discrimination
by State and local governments, including entities that own or
operate correctional facilities. All such entities are covered by
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and those that
receive Federal funds are also covered by section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act. These laws prohibit discrimination against
persons with disabilities, including inmates who use wheelchairs,
scooters, walkers, or other mobility devices. While all aspects of
law enforcement and correctional services are covered by these
laws - including facilities, employment, transportation, and other
activities, programs, and services - this guide focuses on the
prevention of discrimination against inmates with mobility
disabilities through the design of accessible cells.

Security Accessible cells do not compromise the
security of prison personnel. In fact, having accessible cells increases
security because they allow inmates with mobility disabilities to function
independently, minimizing the need for assistance from
guards.

Basic Features Inmates with disabilities -
including those who use wheelchairs - need to be able to enter their cells
and move around inside them, using the cells’ features without assistance.
What makes this possible? Careful planning and design will incorporate
elements such as a wider entrance door, adequate clear floor space,
appropriate placement and models of fixtures and furniture, and grab
bars.

Location or Dispersion of Cells Dispersing
accessible cells throughout a facility ensures that inmates with
disabilities are able to be housed with inmates of the same classification
levels. Generally, inmates with disabilities who are not ill do not need
to be housed in a medical ward.

Furniture and Cell
Features Accessible cells need to contain the same features
as other cells for inmates housed at the same classification level. For
instance, where other cells contain writing desks, accessible writing
desks are needed in accessible cells.

Clear floor spaces for inmates who
use mobility devices

Room Layout and General Features

Drawing Notes:

Accessible toilet with rear and side grab bars,
clear floor space for wheelchair transfer, and an accessible
flush valve.

Doors with 32 inches of clear opening width
(when a sliding door is fully opened or a hinged door is
open 90 degrees). Clear floor space is required in front of
the door.

Desk with knee and toe space and clear floor
space for front approach.

Bed with clear
floor space for a side approach next to bed.

Appropriate clear floor space (shown by dashed
lines) is needed adjacent to each cell feature (see page 1
diagrams on clear floor space). As shown in this drawing, the
clear floor spaces for each element may overlap. Inmates with
a mobility disability should be able to use, and move without
obstruction among, the easily accessible features of their
cells. There needs to be adequate turning space within the
cell -- either a 60-inch-diameter circle or a T-shaped turn
area. (See
diagrams on turning
space.)

Note:

Some features shown in this document may be inappropriate for
cells where inmate suicide is a concern. See the notes for features
specifically designed to minimize suicide risk, while providing
accessibility for inmates with mobility disabilities.

Features of an Accessible Toilet

Drawing Notes:

Side grab bar:
There is a grab bar on the adjacent side wall that is at
least 40 inches long and from 33 to 36 inches above the
floor.

Rear grab bar: There is a grab bar behind the
toilet that is at least 36 inches long and from 33 to 36
inches above the floor.

Flush valve is located in reach range and is
operable without tight grasping, twisting, or
pinching.

Toilet seat height: The toilet seat needs to be
from 17 to 19 inches above the floor to permit transfers to
and from wheelchairs.

Toilet centerline: The toilet bowl needs to be
centered 18 inches from the side wall, so that inmates with
disabilities can use the side grab bar.

Clear floor space: Adequate space is provided
to approach the toilet from a variety of wheelchair transfer
positions (i.e. diagonal or side approaches). Generally, the
toilet needs to be placed within a 60-inch-wide by
59-inch-deep clear area of the floor.

Note: Grab bars
can be designed so they do not increase suicide risk. As shown,
there are several ways for grab bars to be designed with adequate
gripping surfaces, while ensuring that nothing can be tied onto
them.

Profiles of accessible grab
bars with suicide prevention feature.

Note:

In every instance, regardless of toilet and lavatory
configuration, adequate space needs to be provided for inmates who
use wheelchairs to transfer onto and off of the
toilet.

Features of Accessible Lavatories and
Mirrors

Drawing Notes:

Faucets: Faucet handles or
controls need to be usable with one loosely closed fist,
because some people with disabilities can use only one hand
and cannot grasp or twist faucets. Lever-operated, push-type
mechanisms, and U-shaped handles are acceptable
designs.

Mirrors: If provided, mirrors
need to be mounted with the bottom edge of the reflecting
surface no higher than 40 inches above the
floor.

Lavatory knee clearance: To
allow persons who use wheelchairs to pull under the lavatory
and to use the faucet hardware, the following features need
to be provided -- a 29-inch-high clearance under the front
edge of the lavatory, the top of the bowl mounted no higher
than 34 inches above the floor, a 27-inch-high clearance for
knee space extending at least 8 inches from the front of the
lavatory, and a 9-inch-high toe space extending not more
than 6 inches from the back wall.

Burn protection: To protect
against leg burns, hot water and drain pipes need to be
covered or otherwise configured to protect against contact.
Some people with disabilities have little or no sensation in
their legs and can be burned without knowing
it.

Clear floor space is needed for
a forward approach to the lavatory.

Features of Accessible Furniture

Drawing Notes:

Desk size: If provided, the
writing surface of desks and writing tables is no higher
than 34 inches. To provide adequate knee and leg clearance,
desks and writing tables need to have at least 30 inches of
knee width, 29 inches of knee height, and 19 inches of leg
depth.

Beds: Providing beds at an
appropriate height, generally from 17 to 19 inches,
facilitates transfers to and from wheelchairs. In some
cases, an appropriately mounted grab bar can assist an
inmate to transfer between the bed and a
wheelchair.

Desk clear floor space: If
provided, desks and writing tables need to have a 30-inch by
48-inch clear floor space that extends 19 inches under the
desk and any fixed seat needs to be
removable.

Bed transfer space: A 30-inch by
48-inch clear floor space facilitates transfer from a
wheelchair to the bed.

All
furniture placed in accessible cells for the use of inmates
with disabilities needs to be
accessible.

60-inch (1525mm)
Diameter Space

T-Shaped Space for 180 Degree
Turns

For more information about the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), please visit the Department of Justice’s Home
Page, http://www.ada.gov/index.html, or
call us on the ADA Information Line.